5 MICRONS

ONE SEED was developed while I was running my previous business - a retail store selling natural beauty products (which I founded in 2001, and sold in 2007). We were the only store in Australia with a curated collection of only-natural beauty products, and we also offered an on-the-spot custom-made skincare service. It became very clear during the last couple of years of running that business that people were wanting to make the switch to natural, and there were no natural fragrance brands in Australia at that time, and only 2 internationally. So I used my decade-long blending and formulating skills, started researching perfumery, and 18 months after selling that retail store, ONE SEED was launched (May 2009).

I seem to always have had the mentality that if something isn't being done, it’s up to me to get it going. I have very little fear of failure and I love a creative challenge!

Oh, so many! I've been at this for almost 16 years officially. We have seen the natural perfume industry in Australia go from non-existent when we launched in 2009, to now having several players, and even being sought after by some of the big retailers like Sephora and The Iconic. I think the biggest challenge has been the enormity of the fragrance industry generally, its huge budgets, and its power to speak to its audience, versus the little guys like us who have a clear powerful message but don't have the reach or influence the big players have. 

It's been a slow and steady journey for the most part, with big leaps forward every few years. We have been told many times that we have pioneered natural perfume in Australia, and we are doing brave work. That’s a huge compliment, and a role I don't take lightly. It's exciting to see natural perfume on it’s current growth trajectory, with natural perfume now being sought after, and if we had something to do with that, I feel very proud and humbled.

Wake up at 4:30am (no alarm required  - this has been my accidental routine for the past 7 years or so and I love it!). A little bit of journaling, prayer and self care first, often a walk on the beach at around 5:30am, and then onto business. I am definitely a morning person, so I am like a little machine at this time of the day! All the hard stuff gets done before 11am. My day generally involves a meeting or two, some formulating and product development, liaising with suppliers and our production team, managing our wholesale customers, and working on marketing. And I try to fit in coffee and a beach walk with a friend at least once a week.

 My role has recently changed as we have shifted operations interstate, so my local team is now very small, which is nice and peaceful. It means I get to mostly work from my home office, or from a local cafe by the beach. 

Typically my work day finishes at 3pm, I have a quick bath to reset, off to Pilates (very passionate about reformer!), and then some more beach time.

 I am very particular about boundaries and balance, having been burned out more than once in my business life. I don't take work calls after 4pm, and I have removed emails from my phone.

At the moment, I am still getting used to the new operational side of the business, but I am loving it! It will mean more flexibility and creativity for me and for the brand, and the ability to be a little more agile, so that will be quIte transformational for us!

We have a new collection coming out later this year, and a couple of new products, as well as a collaboration with another brand that I need to keep on the down-low for now!

Hopefully for me, a little less work, a little more beach, a transition to a slower pace of life, and more time with my friends and community. I’m also looking forward to a vacation in the next few months - its been almost 8 years since my last one! Well overdue!

What are you currently reading ? The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate

What are you binging on TV? I rarely watch, but when I do it's recently been The Outlander. (I'm not sure why - there are so many holes in the storyline!!)

What Podcasts are in your ears? I haven't listened to much lately, but my last podcast binge was This is Actually Happening. Totally engrossing.

Favourite flowers? Magnolias

Favourite scent? Favourite scent in the entire world? Petrichor - the scent of the air after a rain…

Best piece of advice you’ve received? Hold all things lightly.

Your first fashion moment? I had tonnes of bad ones. They are probably more fun to talk about! The giant fringe of the mid-90s. Surely that was a moment… And Happy Pants.

Fave piece from our collection? The
Margot Crotchet Miniskirt in Sky Blue.

Favourite Fashion Brands? Oh, I have a few! I love fashion! The ones I’m often drawn to are Kivari, Aje, Sir, Rollas for jeans, Nude Lucy or Assembly Label for basics, and I have a few Elliatt and Misha dresses - just in case!

Dream Purchase? A house by the beach - did that 3 years ago. What else could I want? I'm a very, very lucky girl.  

Drink of Choice? If I was a drinker it would be gin. But I don't drink - I'm just the girl that smells everybody else’s cocktails!

Do you have a superpower? My friends tell me I see the good in everything. I think that might be my superpower.